Cardio interval training is defined by short bursts of energy followed by more moderate aerobic or cardiovascular activity. There are many ways to incorporate interval training into just about any aerobic workout. If you jog, you can run in short bursts. If you walk, you can jog. If you use an exercise bike, speed up the pace for a while, throw punches and kick faster when kickboxing… the list is almost endless. You can even do intervals with free weights! If you are just learning about cardio interval training, you are probably asking WHY it is necessary. It all boils down to getting fit faster.
1. Interval training during aerobic exercise increases the metabolic rate and burns fat faster than doing cardio alone. This is due to the heart rate increase followed by a drop in intensity that forces recovery without stopping for a complete rest. If you want to lose weight quickly, cardio interval training will help you do that by burning off the fat much faster than the typical aerobic workout.
2. Because of the increase and recovery involved in cardio interval training, you can even put on some muscle mass. In order to see the best results from this, interval train on a regular schedule. For even better and faster results, you can choose to incorporate moves such as calisthenics and free weights in your aerobic workout. For example, try doing bicep curls and overhead lifts with free weights while you are taking a brisk walk. Simply lower can carry them during the recovery interval. After a few weeks, you will be surprised and happy with the results you see.
3. Cardio interval training increases overall fitness. If you want to improve on your daily workouts or are reaching toward a goal such as cross-country skiing or marathon running, This is the best route to take. An increase in fitness means you are burning more fat, building more muscle and reaching your fitness target much sooner than you would without doing intervals.
While cardio interval training is a great option for either gender, it is even more highly recommended for women. The female body puts weight on differently due to hormonal and muscular differences. For women, the benefits of cardio interval training include building muscle and gaining a faster metabolism in order to get the weight off and keep it from returning. The more you train in intervals, the longer you will be able to sustain a cardio workout.
If you want more information on cardio interval training. Go to Karla Whitmore’s page oncardio workouts.